In this life, I’ve always been attracted to the study of values. Concepts like right versus wrong, generous versus selfish, or civilized versus crude were and still are the way I categorize most people, groups and, importantly, actions. I guess the book “All I Really Needed to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten” applies to me.
Recently, I’ve read about people and groups that I consider more wrong than right, more evil than good. And I’m having some trouble creating excuses for their actions. My sense is that either lots of humans are getting worse or I’m becoming less tolerant of them.
It’s highly likely that Beth and I inherited a simplified, gentler worldview. We probably picked it up from Hollywood, religious education and books about heroes and villains.
As a result, we teach, write, and sing about how to be kind. We create safe circles, hold hands with children and listen to what people have to say with some degree of earnestness. We are, according to most, idealistic folk (though I think we’re a bit too jaded to enjoy herding sheep in New Zealand).
Some might say that Beth and Scott look at the world through rose-colored glasses, that we are trapped in a binary way of thinking about people and beliefs. Or, they might point at us and say, “you two aren’t very thick-skinned or ambitious! That’s why you’re NOT rich and famous!” There’s probably some truth there. I never cared enough about money and fame to risk losing the simple life of a contented peasant.
But it’s getting harder to find the heroes or disregard the villains these days. I’m overcome by the destructive arrogance or lack of empathy in parts of our society. As my friend Tom likes to say, “It’s gettin’ to be a good time to leave.”
Yikes.
Knowing that the people who pass me at 90 mph on the highway are just having fun or in a rush or just basically unconcerned about me and my safety is a troubling thought. I want to believe that we as humans are capable of caring for others. Isn’t that the apex of our existence? Isn’t that what John Lennon “imagined?”
In one sense, Beth and I and the many others who foolishly believe bedtime stories about right and wrong are captives. We keep tilting at windmills and will probably go on doing so.
We may be romantic fools, but I’m sure we’re not alone in this big world. Let me know what you think…even if you think I’m nuts!
